Speculum and retractor.



J. T. BRENEMAN.

SBEGULUM AND RETRAOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED F2315, 1911.

1,01 8,868. Patented Feb. 27, 1912.

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JOSEPH '1. BRENEMAN, OF MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA.

SPECULUIVL AND RETRACTOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, JOSEPH T. BRENEMAN, citizen of the United States, residing at Martinez, in the county of Contra Costa and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Specula and Retractors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a speculum and particularly pertains to a dilating speculum of the quadrivalve type.

It is the object of this invention to provide a four bladed speculum in which the blades may be advanced and retracted in re lation to each other in unison by the operation of handles and in which the blades may be automatically retained in any desired position and subject at any time to being quickly disengaged and restored to their closed position.

The invention consists of the parts and the combination and construction of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention in the closed position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of same. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the blades in their distended position. Fig. 4 is a section on the line a: m, Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a section on the line y y, Fig.- 3. Fig. 6 is a section on the line a a, Fig. 3.

In the carrying out of my invention I provide, primarily, a pair of crossed handles AB, which are pivotally connected at their point of intersection by means of a countersunk rivet 2 which is threaded to engage the handle A, as shown in Fig. 5. The jaw portions of the handles are curved outwardly in opposed arcs, which are substantially semi-circular, and terminate at their outer ends in blades CD, which are formed integral with the jaws of the handles AB and are disposed at right angles thereto.

Mounted on each of the handles A-B, are auxiliary handles EF, each of which handles is pivoted to the face of a handle BB eccentric to the pivot 2 by means of ashouldered screw 3, which extends through a longitudinally extending slot 4 in the auxiliary handle and is threaded in the main handle, as shown in Fig. 6. The j aw portions of the auxiliary handles EF are curved in a manner like those of the handles AB, and also terminate in blades G-H which Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 15, 1911.

Patented Feb. 2'7, 1912.

Serial No. 608,682.

main handle opposite that on which it is mounted and is slotted longitudinally at 5 to receive a pin 6 mounted on the inner face of the handle disposed therebeneath. This slot and pin connection serves to rock the handles E-F on their pivots 3 when the handles AB are operated so that the blades Gr-H will travel on an arc of a circle with the pivot 3 as a radius in unison with the travel of the blades CD on their pivotal point 2. With this construction alone the jaws of both pair of handles would open and close simultaneously on the operation of the handles A--B, the blades G-D moving to and from each other and the blades G-H moving to and from each other, the lines of travel of the two sets of blades being substantially parallel and some distance apart. As it is desirable that the blades GH caused to move to and from the blades CD, so that the curved tips will converge to a common point as before described, means are provided for giving the blades G-H a certain reciprocal movement in conjunction with their oscillating movement so as to advance and retract them in relation. to the blades CD. This is accomplished by so shaping the handles A-B adjacent their point of connection as to form cam faces 7 on their inner edges, which cams are adapted to act on the auxiliary handles EF in the following manner: Formed on the inner face of each handle EF is a pin 8 which projects outward a sufficient distance to extend alongside the curved inner edge of the handle A or B opposite that on which the handle E or F is mounted, and is normally in contact therewith at a point some distance rearward of the pivots 2 and 8. As the handles AB are moved toward each other, the pins 8 are caused to move along the curved edges thereof thus causing the auxiliary handles EF to move in a rearward or retracted direction, or from the position shown in Fig. 2, to that shown in Fig. 3. The slot at in the handles EF permit of this longitudinal movement in relation to the pivots 3.

As a means of advancing the handles EF from the open position shown in Fig. 3 to the closed position shown in Fig. 2, the handles EF are bent inwardly adjacent the curved edge of the handle on which it is mounted to form a shoulder 9, the inner face of which shoulder contacts with the curvature or cam face 7 forward of the pivot 3 in such manner that as the handles A--B are moved apart, the shoulders 9 will be caused to travel over the forward portion of the cam faces 7 so as to move the handles EF in a forward direction.

From'the foregoing it will be seen that by reason of the combined oscillating and reciprocal movements imparted to the auxiliary handles EF, that the blades G-I-I thereon will be caused to describe opposed parabolic curves in relation to each other in moving from one position to the other.

Means are provided for preventing the jaws and blades of the instrument being closed by pressure upon the blades tending to contract the latter and for retaining the blades in a fixed position against such strains at any point intermediate the closed or open positions. This means consists of a spring pawl 10 which is mounted on the handle B and which normally engages a toothed rack 11 formed on the inner edge of the auxiliary handle F to lock the handles B and F together against movement from the open to the closed position.

The operation of this pawl and ratchet is as follows: When the handles A-B are separated, as shown in Fig. 2, the pawl 10 engages the end tooth of the ratchet 11, and as the handles are moved toward each other and the handle F is caused to move rearwardly as before described, the ratchet 11 is moved under the pawl 10 so that the latter rides over and engages the successive teeth of the ratchet 11 to prevent a return move ment of the handle F. When it is desired to release the pawl 10 to close the instrument and to hold it out of contact with the ratchet 11 to admit of the handles being opened and closed freely, a cam lever 12, pivoted on the handle B, is rocked to press the spring pawl 10 outward and retain it in that position as shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of pivotally connected handles having curved jaws formed thereon, a pivot pin on the outer face of each handle, jaws having slots through which said pins extend, a slotted extension on each of said jaws, and a pin on said handles engaging said slotted extensions to give said aws an oscillating movement when said handles are operated.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of pivotally con-. nected handles having curved jaws formed thereon, a pivot pin on the outer face of each handle, jaws having slots through which said pins extend, a slotted extension on each of said jaws, and a pin on said handles engaging said slotted extensions to give said jaws an oscillating movement, a cam face on each of said handles, and projections on saidjaws engaged by said cam faces to give the jaws a reciprocal movement when said handles are operated.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of pivotally connected handles having curved jaws formed thereon, a pivot pin on the outer face of each handle, jaws having slots through which said pins extend, a slotted extension on each of said jaws, and a pin on said handles engaging said slotted extensions to give said jaws an oscillating movement, a cam face on each of said handles, and projections on said jaws engaged by said cam faces to give the jaws a reciprocal movement when said handles are operated, and means for limiting the movement of said jaws to one direction. v

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH T. BRENEMAN.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. HOUGH, A. B. MCKENZIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

